there was no indication that they noticed
him. He remained thus for nearly a quarter of an hour, and then knew
that he must follow the ship until he reached the next landing place.

The trip along the shore was a most difficult one, as he could not
follow the beach. Many of the rocks along the shore were licked by the
waves, so that he had to take a course beyond the cliffs, and the land
was not only rough, but numerous gulleys, or draws, as they are called,
were washed out, making speed impossible.

It required more than two hours to make the trip, and it was
considerably after three when he hailed the boat from the shore, and
hurriedly told the story of George's capture.

Uraso was not slow in gathering the men needed for the expedition, and
when the guns and ammunition were brought out all of the men actually
begged to go along, but he knew that John would not sanction leaving the
vessel without a crew.

* * * * *

John and his scouts impatiently awaited the return of the men and during
this time received the reports from the scouts as they came in. It was
evident from the slight traces found that the band which captured George
had gone east. It was no doubt from some indication to this effect
obtained by Muro, that induced him to take his course in that direction,
also.

All had departed but Muro: Four o'clock came, and then five, but neither
Muro nor Uraso appeared. This did, indeed, look strange to John, who
could, in a measure, account for Muro's non-appearance; but he could not
understand why Uraso did not come. It then occurred that after all Hasmo
might not have been able to reach the landing before sailing time, and
with this theory he consoled Harry, who was constantly on the alert,
waiting for tidings.

CHAPTER VII

CAPTURE OF GEORGE BY THE NATIVES

Let us now follow George. He went along the stream on its westerly side,
while Harry was examining the eastern shore. Coming to a little rivulet,
which flowed into the main stream at this point, he passed alongside the
projecting ledges of rock, that for the moment hid him from the view of
Harry.

Here he saw some peculiar rocks, and outcroppings, which reminded him so
forcibly of the early days on Wonder Island, when the Professor so
strongly impressed on them the value of investigation. The gun was stood
up, leaning against the rocks, when he was seized by two strong arms,
and a hand placed over his mouth.